I am running some trials to test DPM 2012 R2's suitability for protection a set of SQL Server databases and I am trying to understand what happens when I create a recovery point with Express Full Backup.
The databases use simple recovery model and in the tests I have made so far I have loaded more data into the databases between recovery points since that will be a typical scenario - the databases will grow over time. The database files are set to autogrowth by 10%
I have been looking at the change in USED space in the replica volume and in the recovery point volume after new recovery points and have a hard time understanding it.
After the first test where data was loaded into the database and an Express Full Backup recovery point was created, I saw an increase in used space in the replica volume of 85 Gb and 29 GB in the recovery point volume. That is somewhat more than I think the database grew (I realize that should have monitored that, but did not), but anyway it is not completely far out.
In the next test I did the same thing except I loaded twice as much data into the database.
Here is where it gets odd: This causes zero increased usage in the replica volume and 33 GB increased use in the recovery point volume.
I do not understand why the replica volume use increases with some recovery points and not with others.
Note that I am only discussing increased usage in the volumes - not actual volume growth. The volumes are still their original size.
I have been using 3-4 days on the test and the retention period is set to 12 days, so nothing should be expired yet.